The 35-year-old all-rounder was highly sought after by multiple BBL franchises due to his full availability for the tournament following his full retirement from all international cricket earlier this year.

Stokes was being pursued by at least three separate BBL sides, with the Adelaide Strikers winning a race that also included the Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Renegades. 

He made four BBL appearances for Melbourne Renegades during the 2014/15 season, taking three wickets and making a top score of 77. 

Cricket Australia sources speaking anonymously confirmed the deal early on Tuesday morning, having played a role in recruiting Stokes to the league as potentially the biggest acquisition of the upcoming season. 

Stokes is the 11th contracted Striker for BBL16 which includes international players Alex Carey and Matt Short as well as regular starters Henry Thornton, Liam Scott and Jason Sangha. 

Adelaide have not re-signed any of their overseas players from last season - Hassan Ali, Jamie Overton, Tabraiz Shamsi and Luke Wood - whilst Chris Lynn and Travis Head are also currently out of contract. 

The Strikers begin BBL16 away to Sydney Thunder in Canberra on December 16. 

Adelaide Strikers squad (contracted)

Alex Carey, Mackenzie Harvey, Thomas Kelly, Lloyd Pope, Jason Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Ben Stokes, Tom Straker, Henry Thornton, Jerrssis Wadia